Jeju Island to release 12 rescued sea turtles into the wild

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will release 12 sea turtles into the waters of Jeju Island on August 27. The group includes six green sea turtles, four hawksbill sea turtles, and two loggerhead sea turtles that have undergone rescue, treatment, or artificial incubation.

To minimize stress, officials will use a non-contact method, allowing the turtles to move into the ocean on their own from the beach rather than being placed in the water by hand. The release is a collaborative effort involving private institutions such as Aqua Planet (Yeosu and Jeju) and SEALIFE Busan Aquarium.

Following the release, the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea will attach satellite tracking devices to the turtles to monitor their migration patterns. This data will serve as foundational research for future marine life protection and management policies.